Department of Licenses and Inspections Cleaned Hazardous Alleys Throughout the City

Posted on 04/30/2014 4:48 pm

Before

After

In April, The Department of Licenses and Inspections completed seven alley clean ups in the City of Wilmington. Licenses and Inspections Commissioner, Jeffery Starkey, along with Mayor Dennis P. Williams, Councilman Bud Freel and the Department’s inspectors worked collectively to identify the city’s most hazardous alleyways for clean up, in an effort to increase safety and beautify the neighborhoods.

The alley clean ups included the trimming of bushes and trees and the removal of trash and illegally dumped debris. The targeted alleys included: 8th and Taylor Streets to Pine and Kirkwood Streets; 2nd and Conrad Streets to Harrison and Franklin Streets; 3rd and Conrad Streets to Harrison and Franklin Streets; 6th and 7th Streets to Harrison and Franklin Streets; 9th and 10th Streets, to Pine and Kirkwood Streets; 8th and Taylor Streets to Spruce and Bennett Streets; and the 2100 block of Claymont Street.

“As we work towards building strong neighborhoods, the City must be proactive in ensuring our public spaces, such as streets, alleys, parks and waterways are clean and safe for our citizens,” said Mayor Williams. “This initiative not only cleans our streets and beautifies our communities, but it also allows us to engage with residents about how to maintain clean streets and alleys going forward.”

The alley clean up, which cost $25,000, was an initiative to help remove trash from illegal dumping and make the alleyways more accessible for residents in the neighborhood. The inspectors removed furniture, litter, abandoned household goods, repaired fencing and cleared out a walkway through each alley.

“Poorly maintained alleys present safety hazards for residents living in the community, so it is important for the Department of Licenses and Inspections to work to improve these areas that are potentially unsafe for our citizens,” said Commissioner Starkey.

In the future, the Department of Licenses and Inspections and the Mayor’s Office, look to engage with city residents to help actively monitor and maintain the alleys.